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There are times when we students don’t agree with something or need clarification, yet we never speak up. What we don’t know is that when advocating for yourself, you give others the courage to do the same. Although it may be nerve-racking to advocate for yourself, it is an important skill that all students should master. 

 The dictionary defines self-advocacy as the act or condition of representing oneself, either generally in society or in formal proceedings, such as a court. Or in simpler words, speaking up for oneself in life, whether that be in court, in public, or in this case, class. 

Give courage to your fellow students by speaking up for yourself as much as you can. According to a story on the Rutgers website titled “Speaking Up in Class,” it states,

 “The more individuals who speak up in class, the safer the space becomes and the easier it is for the more hesitant people to participate.”

Some students struggle more with advocating for themselves during the transition from middle school to high school.

Brielle Quiah, a freshman at Westwood, discusses the differences between advocating for yourself in middle school and high school. 

She states,

 When advocating for yourself, it’s still important to be respectful because, after all, you are still talking to an adult. Respect is one of the most important skills when self-advocating. The teachers need to see that you can calmly handle a situation, but still seek clarification when needed.

Mrs. Allen-Smith, an English 2 teacher, discussed how students can politely approach their teacher.

She states, “How you’re going about speaking up now that’s we have an issue, are you respectful and polite about it? Are you going through the proper channels in speaking up? That’s where I think most high school students go wrong.”

These tips are the best ways to take the steps you need to take when advocating for yourself. Just calmly explain what you need, and you should be just fine!